Page 48 of The Stolen Kingdom

Eyphah was holding her staffandthe trident with one hand, while waving her hand enthusiastically.

Maris released a groan, and Melvian couldn’t help but turn to Eyphah and then to Maris. “Is everything alright with you two?”

“She wants to train,” Maris said, her tone flat and unamused.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“I am.I amwhat’s wrong with that.” With a scoff, Maris waved goodbye to Melvian and moped her way to Eyphah.

“Your Highness!”

Eyphah’s happy greeting somehow sat well with Maris. She was actually glad that the other woman was in a good mood. She was being overdramatic, but Maris appreciated the positivity. Maybe today she might hold on to the trident how she was supposed to.

Eyphah gave a theatrical bow, making Maris roll her eyes.

“Stop it,” she muttered, waving a dismissive hand.

“Today is a day for celebration!” Eyphah proclaimed, handing over the trident with a flourish. “A new Sealian has joined the settlement!”

“Thatisan excellent reason to celebrate,” Maris said, grabbing the trident with both hands. She noticed the slight bulging of her forearm muscles, and she couldn’t help but be proud of herself. Of course, nothing compared to Valda’s arms. The same arms that would wrap around her with an iron grip and wouldn’t let go…

Maris closed her eyes tightly and cursed under her breath. She couldn’t let herself get lost in thoughts of Valda—not now. If she did, more memories would flood in, and she’d lose her focus. She couldn’t afford another mistake.

“Ready?” Eyphah asked, her voice breaking through Maris’s spiraling thoughts. The other woman spun her spear in a playful pirouette as she grinned.

Maris was sure Eyphah was just showing off—or maybe she was taunting her.

She widened her stance, bent at the knees, and lowered her body, her hands gripping the trident like her life depended on it.

Without warning, Eyphah charged, her spear coming down in a swift arc toward Maris’s head.

This time, Maris was ready. She moved fast enough to block the attack, pushing Eyphah with a sharp shove. Her wrist shifted, changing her grip as she swung the trident in a smooth motion, forcing Eyphah to take a step back.

Eyphah grinned as if she was having the time of her life and Maris wanted to wipe that smirk off her face.

When Eyphah thrust her spear forward, Maris sidestepped. Her body moved instinctively, and to her surprise, she didn’t stumble. The trident felt less like a foreign objectand more like an extension of herself as she swung its blunt end into the back of Eyphah’s knee.

The other woman cursed under her breath, but quickly recovered to block a shove of Maris’s weapon.

“Well done!” she laughed before slamming her arm against Maris’s trident.

The impact was enough to throw Maris off balance. She fell forward, the trident slipping from her grip as she hit the ground chest-first.

But this time, she didn’t stay down, sulking in defeat like she had before.

As Eyphah walked towards her, Maris wasted no time crashing her boot against Eyphah’s foot, sending her to the ground with her.

“Not so comfortable, is it?” Maris said, scrambling forward on her hands and knees toward the trident.

Eyphah snarled, reaching out to grab Maris’s ankle. With a sharp yank, she pulled Maris back and shoved her into the sand before getting to her feet and kicking the trident out of reach.

Maris slammed her hand into the sandy ground in frustration. Yet, to her surprise, she didn’t feel defeated.

She had knocked Eyphah down, and that insignificant victory was enough to make her grin despite herself.

“See!” Eyphah laughed as she gathered the trident. “You can fucking fight.”

Maris stood, noticing that the other woman was having trouble catching her breath.Shedid that. She could fight. Her chest filled with pride as she walked towards Eyphah.

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